[Lefty Noob]

Lovie Smith, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, became the first African American coach to ever lead a team to a Super Bowl yesterday when his club beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game.

But who is Lovie Smith? Well, he was born Lovie Lee Smith on May 8, 1958 in Gladewater, Texas. He was an all-state defensive player at Big Sandy High School and went on to play linebacker and safety at the University of Tulsa. In 1980, Smith accepted his first coaching job, working with his high school alma mater for one season. He eventually moved on to a coaching job with Tulsa in 1983, then spent the next 12 seasons coaching at various colleges until accepting a job as the linebackers coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1996.

Smith was named the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 2004. He went just 5-11 in his first season, but by year two, the Bears became a force to be reckoned with. Chicago went 11-5 in 2005, and Smith earned Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year honors. Then this year, Smith's team beat the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC Championship and earn a berth in Super Bowl XLI. His career record with the Bears is 29-19-0, and he is 2-1 all-time in the postseason, pending the result of the February 4 championship game.

Furthermore, according to Wikipedia, "Lovie is an active supporter of the American Diabetes Association. In addition to participating in various events for the ADA, Smith also donates ten tickets to every Bears’ game to children suffering from diabetes. He and his wife are also the founders of the Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation, a program which donates college tuition funds towards impoverished children."

[azrael492]

Well, he was born Lovie Lee Smith on May 8, 1958 in Gladewater, Texas

I thought all this time that was just a nickname. I never would have guessed that was his given name. The only other time I heard this name is Gilligan's Island.

Lovie Smith, the head coach of the Chicago Bears, became the first African American coach to ever lead a team to a Super Bowl yesterday when his club beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship Game.

I am glad I read this post. I learned 2 new things today. I can't believe with all the great African American coaches there have been, he is the first to make it. Then right behind him comes Dungy. Congrats to both for making the superbowl.

[EmpireWF]

His last two stints have circled around Super Bowl wins. He was with Tampa until 2000...they won the SB in 2002. He was with the Rams from 01-03. After winning the Super Bowl the year before, they lost to the Pats in 2001.

So Lovie Smith will get his first crack to lead his team to a championship.

[legend]

Both these coaches seem like great guys. Belichick, on the other hand, is taking a lot of heat up hear in New England for seeming like a sore loser at his press conference from what I am hearing on the talk shows.

[phileba2003]

Let's Go Lovie and the BEARS!!!